Protective device for fragile vessels.



Noi 850,633. l A PATENTED APR.16, 1907. S. FERGUSON.

PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR FRAGILB VBSSELS. APPLICATION FILED Nov.7, 1904.

Witne'sses: Inventor Samuel Ferguson, M fbg/@W by @@Mw changed in position.

' 2 and 3 and amercury cat ode 4.

ouliar shape of the rectifier makes it desirable to protect the end Walls of the various cylin- UNrTEn sTATEs PATENT OFFICE. f

SAMUEL FEEGUsON, or SOHENEOTADY, NEW YORK, AssrGNoR To GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A. CORPORATIN OF NEW YORK.Y

PROTECTWE DEVIGE'FIOR FRAGILE vEssELs;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 1e, 1907.

Application filed November 7, 1904. Serial No. 231,658.

5 of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Protective Devices `for Fra 11e Vessels, of which the following is a speci cation;

Mercury-vapor lamps, mercury-rectiiiers,

ro and other electrical ap aratus in which a body of mercuryl or ot er heavy liquid is contained in an evacuated chamber are subject to vconsiderable danger from Vbreaka e when the apparatus is inverted or sudden y This destruction of the apparatus is produced by the sudden rush of mercury or other liquid from one part of the evacuated dhamber to the other and the consequent sudden impact a ainstl the wall zo of the chamber. The fact t at the atmosphere Within the `chamber is in a ver rarefed "condition greatly increases this breakage, as there is practically no cushioning effect to protect thewall. This phe- 25 nomenom is quite analogous to the so-called Water-hammer often experienced .with steamdieating systems and may prove more or less destructive to mercury-rectiers and other apparatus during shipment;

It is the object of this'invention to provide a means whereby the sudden impact, of the mercury against the fragile parts of such apparatus may be prevented, and this means consists of a suitable diaphragm ,or bais- 35 plate in the pathof the movlng mercury.

. This diaphragm is` pe rfora1.ed. to permit the slow passage of mercury, but 'neverthelessA oi'l'ers sufiiclent resistance to the iiow of liquid to'prevent a sudden and destructive uimpact 4o against the chamber-wall.

is shown a mercury-recti-\' In the drawing tier l of ordinary orm, com rising the anodes 5o rated therefrom by a considerable space.

These diaphragms are adapted to break upa sudden rushoil mercury, but at the same time to permit the slow passage of mercury anger of' The .pe-l i 'from one side to the other. .The diaphragms 5 5 the rectifier.

While I have shown m invention as applied to a mercury-recti ier, I contemplate using it in a great variety of Waysjlior protect- 69 By securing.

.ingin any way with the normal operationof ing fra ile vessels from the sudden impact of a` heav. iquid W at-I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, isf 1. The combination of ay chamber having a .fragile Wall, a body of mercury in said eham' ber, a perforated diaphragm rigidly mounted in the path of movement of said- 1nercury whereby sudden impact of said mercury against the fra ile wallis revented.

2. The .comblnation' wit amercury-va 0r apparatus having a fragile containing-Wa a body of mercury, and a perforated metallic diaphragm rigidly mounted in the path of movement of said mercury. f

3. The combination, with a mercury-vapor apparatus having a tubular chamber and containing a body of mercury, of a perforate diaphragm rigidly secured 1n proximity to the end wall of said tubular chamberto'prevent the sudden impact of mercury against 5 saidwall.V

4.. The combination, with a mercury-'vapor apparatus having a tubular chamber and containing a body of mercury, of a submerged perforate diaphragm in proximity to the end wall of said tubular chamber t`o prevent sudden impact against said wall.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 5th-day ofrNovember, 1904.

roo`

- s'AMUEL FERGUSON. f

lWitnesses BENJAMIN B. HULL, HELEN ORFORD. 

